Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 14/02) - Pregnant women do not have to go far to get expert advice on the best foods for mother and baby. The problem is that no one has been showing up for nutrition classes.

The Canada Pre-natal Nutrition Program (CPNP), a nation-wide program, is being offered by the Tasiuqtigiit Society, out of the Arctic College kitchen in Iqaluit.

Each week, a guest cook joins CPNP co-ordinator Katheryn Massan and the society's executive director Norma Jean Johnson to prepare delicious and nutritious meals, and even Inuit country dishes, for expectant moms.

Although no one has showed up for the last three classes, Massan is hoping that will change.

"I'm hoping that we can get a lot of our mothers out to our program. We're basically going to have fun and teach them little tricks that we know," she said.

Johnson said the program was previously offered under the Healthy Children, Healthy Families Society, which merged with the Tasiuqtigiit Society last April.

It's been two years since the CPNP has been offered in Iqaluit. Johnson said the program is part of a long- term plan to create a place where women can go to get advice on raising healthy children.

"The healthier your nutrition is during your pregnancy and in the child's first year, the better it is for the child developmentally," said Johnson.

The goal of the Tasiuqtigiit Society is to offer the program as successfully as it is offered in Clyde River, Iglulik and Rankin Inlet.

Following on success

Jasmine Breil, who oversees the program in Clyde River, said it is quite popular in that community. Offered by the Illisaqsivik Society, it has been ongoing for about six years and now the moms meet six nights a week to share nutritional information.

"It's pretty easy-going. They really get along well and we have great attendance. I'm not really sure what the secret is," she said.

On average, about eight women attend the cooking classes everyday, and some also bring their young children as well. Some days as many as 16 women show up, said Breil.

"We have a few teens, but mostly women in their 20s, and also a few ladies who have adopted children as well. Everyone is welcome to come as long as their children are under two-years-old," she said.

Staying away from junk food

And to make the classes even more appealing, the Illisaqsivik Society provides babysitting services for mothers who have children between the ages of two and six while they attend the cooking classes.

"The big thing to us is moms supporting one another," said Johnson. "Through pregnancy and the first year can be quite challenging so for us, we're looking at sharing what we know," said Johnson.

In Iqaluit, it's hoped that the program will encourage Inuit, non-Inuit, teenage and adult mothers to stay away from junk food.

"Your child is going to do so much better if you're eating nutritious food and getting that information out, for the child's sake, is very important," said Johnson.

She is hoping to attract more pregnant and nursing women to the classes each week. The program is offered every Tuesday afternoon between 2 and 4:30 p.m. The women will learn how to prepare healthy foods, and get nutritional food baskets consisting of fruits, vegetables and other great foods. The CPNP co-ordinator will also host a drop-in centre at the Family Resource Centre every Thursday.